Re: OT: Wal-Mart
Date: March 3, 2007 05:49
I have avoided this topic like a plague for sometime just watching the ridiculous banter amongst its posters, but i feel as though I must now respond, after thinking and considering certain things.
First off, I dont shop at Wal-Mart. Like several other people have said, most of their stuff is crap, but it mainly is because of my convictions. If i desperatly need something, Ill go there, but only as a last resort.
When employees are required to purchase their own company uniforms, stand on their feet for 8-12 hours a day with no overtime, and create a living out of this job, the least the company could do is offer some sort of health care. The argument "go and get your own health care" doesnt hold up, the United States sadly doesnt have a universal health care system (although a recent poll revealed a majority of americans wish it did).
As a counterexample to Wal-Mart, I work for a unionized company that provides the required uniforms for its employees (free of charge), health care to all employees (regardless of whether they are part time or full time) and overtime for any part time employees that work more than five hours and full time employees over 8. Add to this fact that as a part time employee I make ten dollars an hour (not bad for a student).
So whats wrong with wanting to unionize Wal-Mart? These people deserve the same benefits and opportunities that an employee like myself gets. Its not as if Wal-Mart is a small company. Some people work there out of choice, but there are also those that work out of neccasity for a paycheck. These are hardworking people who deserve more than a slightly minumum wage, and no benefits.